Vagus nerve stimulation relieves chronic refractory migraine and cluster headaches

Anticonvulsant and antidepressant medications have demonstrated efficacy in migraine treatment. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective treatment for drug-refractory epilepsy and possibly depression and it also has documented analgesic effects. These observations suggested a possible role for VNS in treating severe refractory headaches, and led to a trial of VNS in patients with such headaches. VNS was implanted in four men and two women with disabling chronic cluster and migraine headaches. In one man and one woman with chronic migraines VNS produced dramatic improvement with restoration of ability to work. Two patients with chronic cluster headaches had significant improvement of their headaches. VNS was well tolerated in five patients, while one developed nausea even at the lowest current strength. In conclusion, VNS may be an effective therapy for intractable chronic migraine and cluster headaches and deserves further trials.     

Different dosage regimens of Eptinezumab for the treatment of migraine: a meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials

BackgroundMigraine is one of the most common neurological diseases around the world and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays an important role in its pathophysiology. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of monoclonal antibodies blocking the CGRP ligand or receptor in episodic and chronic migraine.ObjectiveThe objective of our study is implementing a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of eptinezumab for the treatment of migraine compared with placebo.MethodWe searched the Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and Clinicaltrials.gov for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which were performed to evaluate eptinezumab versus placebo for migraine up to September 2020. The data was assessed by Review Manager 5.3 software. The risk ratio (RR) and standard mean difference (SMD) were analyzed using dichotomous outcomes and continuous outcomes respectively with a random effect model.ResultWe collected 2739 patients from 4 RCTs: the primary endpoint of efficacy was the change from baseline to week 12 in mean monthly migraine days (MMDs). We found that eptinezumab (30 mg, 100 mg, 300 mg) led to a significant reduction in MMDs (P = 0.0001,P < 0.00001, P < 0.00001) during 12 weeks compared with placebo, especially with 300 mg. For the safety, we compared and concluded the treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of the 4 RCTs. This indicated no evident statistical difference between eptinezumab and placebo.ConclusionsIn the present study, we found that eptinezumab is safe and has significant efficacy in the treatment of migraine, especially the dose of 300 mg.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10194-021-01220-y.     

Comparative efficacy of Chinese herbal injections for angina pectoris: A Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ObjectiveThe severity of angina pectoris has been recognized. It is believed that Chinese herbal injections have an outstanding clinical effect on this condition. This network meta-analysis was devised to investigate the comparative efficacy of eight Chinese herbal injections (Ciwujia injection, Dazhuhongjingtan injection, Huangqi injection, Shenfu injection, Shengmai injection, Shenmai injection, Shenqi Fuzheng injection, Yiqifumai injection) in the treatment of angina pectoris.MethodsA literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, Chinese Biological Medicine Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and Chinese Scientific Journal Database from their inception to June 25, 2018. A pre-designed eligibility criterion was utilized in this network meta-analysis, and a methodological quality analysis was conducted. Data analysis was performed by WinGUGS 1.4.3, Stata 13.0 and TSA software, and the odds ratio or mean difference with the 95% credible interval was reported for symptomatic improvement, electrocardiography improvement, fibrinogen, triglyceride and cholesterol. The ranking probability of interventions in various outcomes was also utilized.ResultsA total of 73 randomized controlled trials with 6639 patients were identified. Integrating network meta-analysis results, Shenqi Fuzheng injection plus western medicine therapy and Shenmai injection plus western medicine therapy were shown to be more efficacious than other therapies. In addition, Huangqi injection plus western medicine therapy and Shenmai injection plus western medicine therapy performed well in improving the haemorheology index and serum lipid parameters.ConclusionsEligible Chinese herbal injections plus western medicine therapy might have a better impact on angina pectoris patients than western medicine therapy alone. While this study had limitations, the findings should be interpreted with caution. In addition, more high-quality randomized controlled trials with a large sample must be conducted to support this study.     

Efficacy of acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis: a single-blinded, double-dummy, randomized controlled trial

Insufficient clinical trial data were available to prove the efficacy of acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis. A multicenter, double-dummy, single-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at the outpatient departments of acupuncture at 5 hospitals in China to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture. A total of 140 patients with migraine without aura were recruited and assigned randomly to 2 different groups: the acupuncture group treated with verum acupuncture plus placebo and the control group treated with sham acupuncture plus flunarizine. Treated by acupuncture 3 times per week and drugs every night, patients from both groups were evaluated at week 0 (baseline), week 4, and week 16. The primary outcome was measured by the proportion of responders (defined as the proportion of patients with a reduction of migraine days by at least 50%). The secondary outcome measures included the number of migraine days, visual analogue scale (VAS, 0 to 10 cm) for pain, as well as the physical and mental component summary scores of the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). The patients in the acupuncture group had better responder rates and fewer migraine days compared with the control group (P < .05), whereas there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in VAS scores and SF-36 physical and mental component summary scores (P > .05). The results suggested that acupuncture was more effective than flunarizine in decreasing days of migraine attacks, whereas no significantly differences were found between acupuncture and flunarizine in reduction of pain intensity and improvement of the quality of life.     

Relative efficacy of lasmiditan versus rimegepant and ubrogepant as acute treatments for migraine: network meta-analysis findings

BackgroundIn the absence of head-to-head trials, comprehensive evidence comparing onset of efficacy of novel agents for acute treatment of migraine is lacking. This study aimed to explore the relative efficacy of lasmiditan (serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine] 1F receptor agonist) versus rimegepant and ubrogepant (calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists) for the acute oral treatment of migraine through network meta-analysis (NMA).MethodsData included in the NMA were identified through a systematic literature search (conducted April 2018, updated May/December 2020) of phase II–IV, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in adults with chronic/episodic migraine with/without aura. Treatments included: lasmiditan 50, 100, 200 mg; rimegepant 75 mg; ubrogepant 25, 50, 100 mg. Pairwise treatment comparisons from Bayesian fixed-effect/random-effects NMA, adjusted by baseline risk where appropriate, were conducted. Comparisons were reported as odds ratios with 95% credible intervals. Early-onset efficacy endpoints included: pain freedom at 2 hours and pain relief at 1 and 2 hours. Adverse drug reaction (ADR) profiles were summarised. Heterogeneity and inconsistency in the network were explored; sensitivity analyses investigated robustness of findings.ResultsAcross 12 RCTs included in the base case, females represented >80% of included patients (mean age 37.9–45.7 years). Odds of achieving both pain freedom and pain relief at 2 hours were higher with lasmiditan 100 and 200 mg versus rimegepant 75 mg and ubrogepant 25 and 50 mg. Results for pain relief at 1 hour were consistent with those at 2 hours, but fewer comparisons were available. There were no statistically significant differences between lasmiditan 50 mg and ubrogepant or rimegepant for any outcome. Sensitivity analyses were in the same direction as base case analyses. Most commonly reported ADRs (incidence ≥2%) were: dizziness, fatigue, paraesthesia, sedation, nausea/vomiting and muscle weakness with lasmiditan; nausea with rimegepant; and nausea, somnolence and dry mouth with ubrogepant.ConclusionsThe efficacy findings of this indirect comparison indicate that lasmiditan 100 mg or 200 mg might be an appropriate acute treatment option for patients with migraine seeking a fast onset of action. Differently from rimegepant and ubrogepant, lasmiditan use is associated with mainly neurological events, which are mostly mild or moderate in severity and self-limiting.350/350 wordsSupplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10194-022-01440-w.     

Assessment of efficacy and safety of UV-based therapy for psoriasis: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundPrevious studies have proven that ultraviolet (UV)-based phototherapy, including UVB or psoralen UVA (PUVA), and their combination therapies, is effective for psoriasis treatment.ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy and adverse events (AEs) of different UV-based phototherapy in psoriasis.MethodsPubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Embase were systematically searched. A random-effect model network meta-analysis with frequentist framework was performed, and results were reported as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CI. The main variable for assessing effectiveness and safety are PASI 75 response and withdrawal due to AEs. Ranking effects were calculated by surface under the cumulative ranking analysis (SUCRA).ResultsThirty-two studies involving a total of 2120 psoriasis patients were included in this network meta-analysis. Overall, no significant difference was reported with respect to withdrawal due to AEs or incidence of erythema. The relatively safest strategy was combined adjuvant therapy with PUVA (cPUVA), especially PUVA combined with calcium/vitamin D derivatives (RR 0.98, 95% CI [0.30–3.17], SUCRA = 80.8%). Both cPUVA (RR 1.39, 95% CI [1.00– 1.94]) and combined adjuvant therapy with UVB (cUVB) (RR 1.27, 95% CI [1.03–1.57]) showed a superior effect than the monotherapy of UVA or UVB, respectively. PUVA combined with vitamin D and its derivatives (PAVD) ranked highest concerning clinical effect and safety (clusterank value = 7393.2).ConclusionsThe efficacy of all the combination therapy regimens was significantly superior to that of UV monotherapy, without significant differences in tolerability and safety. cUVB and cPUVA, and particularly the combination of UVA with calcium/vitamin D derivatives, was ranked as the overall safest and most effective phototherapy method.     

Efficacy of electrical nerve stimulation for chronic musculoskeletal pain: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Previous studies and meta-analyses of the efficacy of electrical nerve stimulation (ENS) for the treatment of chronic pain of multiple etiologies have produced mixed results. The objective of the present study was to determine whether ENS is an effective treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain by using statistical techniques that permit accumulation of a sample size with adequate power. Randomized, controlled trials published between January 1976 and November 2006 were obtained from the National Libraries of Medicine, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Prospective, placebo-controlled studies using any modality of ENS to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain in any anatomical location were included. The main outcome measure was pain at rest. The use of statistical methods to enhance data extraction and a random-effects meta-analysis to accommodate heterogeneity of ENS therapies permitted an adequate number of well designed trials of ENS to be included in the meta-analysis. A total of 38 studies in 29 papers, which included 335 placebo, 474 ENS, and 418 cross-over (both placebo and at least one ENS treatment) patients, met the selection criteria. The overall results showed a significant decrease in pain with ENS therapy using a random-effects model (p<0.0005). These results indicate that ENS is an effective treatment modality for chronic musculoskeletal pain and that previous, equivocal results may have been due to underpowered studies.     

Systemic effects of controlled exposure to diesel exhaust: a meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials

Introduction: Ambient air pollution is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the short-term association between air pollution and cardiovascular effects on healthy volunteers.

Methods: We searched databases to identify randomized trials with controlled human exposures to either of two models for studying ambient particulate matter: diesel-exhaust or concentrated ambient particles. Estimates of size effect were performed using standardized mean difference (SMD). Heterogeneity was assessed with I₂ statistics. Outcomes were vascular function estimated by forearm blood flow (FBF), blood pressure, heart rate, and blood analysis.

Results: Database searches yielded 17 articles (n?=?342) with sufficient information for meta-analyses. High levels of heterogeneity for the some outcomes were analyzed using random-effects model. The pooled effect estimate showed that short-term exposure to air pollution impaired FBF response from 2.7 to 2.5?mL/100?mL tissue/min (SMD 0.404; p?=?.006). There was an increase in 5000 platelet/mm³ following pollution exposure (SMD 0.390; p?=?.050) but no significant differences for other outcomes.

Conclusion: Controlled human exposures to air pollution are associated with the surrogates of vascular dysfunction and increase in platelet count, which might be related to adverse cardiovascular events. Given the worldwide prevalence of exposure to air pollution, these findings are relevant for public health.

• KEY MESSAGES

• Controlled exposure to air pollution impairs vasomotor response, which is a surrogate for adverse cardiovascular events.

• This is the first meta-analysis from randomized clinical trials showing short-term association between air pollution and cardiovascular effects on healthy volunteers.

• Given the worldwide prevalence of exposure to air pollution, this finding is important for public health.

     

Antithrombotic therapy for secondary prevention of unprovoked venous thromboembolism: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundExtended antithrombotic treatment is recommended for secondary prevention of unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE), however, there is no consensus on which antithrombotic strategy is preferable.AimTo compare the efficacy and safety of different antithrombotic strategies for secondary prevention unprovoked VTE.MethodsCochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and MEDLINE were systematically searched from inception to 22 July 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy and/or safety of extended antithrombotic strategies including aspirin, warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for secondary prevention of unprovoked VTE. The primary outcome was risk of major bleeding and the secondary outcomes were risks of recurrent VTE and all-cause death. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using pairwise and network meta-analysis with random effect. Possible ranking of extended antithrombotic strategies was plotted using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve and mean ranks.ResultsSeventeen RCTs met the inclusion criteria, and meta-analysis results showed that warfarin was associated with significantly higher risk of major bleeding than placebo/observation (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.32–5.55) or apixaban (OR 10.65, 95% CI 1.06–107.13). Apixaban and low-apixaban were the top two strategies according to the ranking of major bleeding. Warfarin (OR 0.25, 95%CI 0.13–0.49), rivaroxaban (OR 0.18, 95%CI 0.03–0.90), apixaban (OR 0.18, 95%CI 0.04–0.85) and low-apixaban (OR 0.18, 95%CI 0.04–0.82) were related to significantly lower risk than placebo/observation; edoxaban was non-inferior to warfarin on the risk of recurrent VTE. Furthermore, apixaban was linked with significantly lower risk of all-cause death than placebo/observation (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.09–0.88).ConclusionApixaban showed superiority to other antithrombotic strategies on major bleeding and all-cause death for secondary prevention of unprovoked VTE. Further studies are warranted owing to the limited number of studies and positive cases.

Key messages

1. All antithrombotic strategies including warfarin, DOACs and aspirin were superior to placebo/observation on recurrent VTE for secondary prevention of unprovoked VTE.
2. Apixaban demonstrated lower risk of major bleeding than warfarin, and lower risk of all-cause death than placebo/observation.
3. Further research about the efficacy and safety of antithrombotic treatments for secondary prevention of unprovoked VTE is warranted.

     

Transcranial magnetic stimulation of visual cortex in migraine patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis

We systematically reviewed the literature to evaluate the prevalence of phosphenes and the phosphene threshold (PT) values obtained during single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in adults with migraine. Controlled studies measuring PT by single-pulse TMS in adults with migraine with or without aura (MA, MwA) were systematically searched. Prevalence of phosphenes and PT values were assessed calculating mean difference (MD) and odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Ten trials (277 migraine patients and 193 controls) were included. Patients with MA had statistically significant lower PT compared with controls when a circular coil was used (MD −28.33; 95 % CI −36.09 to −20.58); a similar result was found in MwA patients (MD −17.12; 95 % CI −23.81 to −10.43); using a figure-of-eight coil the difference was not statistically significant. There was a significantly higher phosphene prevalence in MA patients compared with control subjects (OR 4.21; 95 % CI 1.18–15.01). No significant differences were found either in phosphene reporting between patients with MwA and controls, or in PT values obtained with a figure-of-eight coil in MA and MwA patients versus controls. Overall considered, these results support the hypothesis of a primary visual cortex hyper-excitability in MA, providing not enough evidence for MwA. A significant statistical heterogeneity reflects clinical and methodological differences across studies, and higher temporal variabilities among PT measurements over time, related to unstable excitability levels. Patients should therefore be evaluated in the true interictal period with an adequate headache-free interval. Furthermore, skull thickness and ovarian cycle should be assessed as possible confounding variables, and sham stimulation should be performed to reduce the rate of false positives. Phosphene prevalence alone cannot be considered a measure of cortical excitability, but should be integrated with PT evaluation.     

The efficacy of tranexamic acid for brain injury: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundTranexamic acid shows some treatment efficacy for traumatic brain injury. This systematic review and meta-analysis is conducted to investigate the efficacy of tranexamic acid for traumatic brain injury.MethodsThe databases including PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases are systematically searched for collecting the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the efficacy of tranexamic acid for traumatic brain injury.ResultsThis meta-analysis has included six RCTs. Compared with placebo group in patients with traumatic brain injury, tranexamic acid results in remarkably reduced mortality (risk ratio (RR) = 0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.85 to 0.97; P = 0.004) and growth of hemorrhagic mass (RR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.61 to 0.99; P = 0.04), but has no important impact on neurosurgery (RR = 0.99; 95% CI = 0.85 to 1.15; P = 0.92), extracranial surgery (RR = 1.00; 95% CI = 0.97 to 1.04; P = 0.99), unfavorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale, GOS) (RR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.47–1.11; P = 0.14), pulmonary embolism (RR = 1.86; 95% CI = 0.42–8.29; P = 0.42), and deep venous thrombosis (RR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.64–1.47; P = 0.88).ConclusionsTranexamic acid is associated with substantially reduced mortality and growth of hemorrhagic mass in patients with traumatic brain injury, but the need of neurosurgery and extracranial surgery, as well as the risk of unfavorable outcome (GOS) are similar between tranexamic acid and placebo.     

神经肌肉电刺激治疗脑卒中后吞咽障碍临床疗效的Meta分析

目的 评价神经肌肉电刺激治疗脑卒中后吞咽障碍的疗效,为临床治疗和进一步研究提供参考依据。 方法 计算机检索Cochrane library、Pubmed、Embase、CINAHL、Pro Quest、Psyc ARTICLES、中国知网数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库、维普中文科技期刊全文数据库、万方数据库中有关神经肌肉电刺激治疗脑卒中后吞咽障碍临床疗效的随机对照试验文献,同时筛检纳入文献的参考文献,检索时限为建库至2017年7月30日。由2名研究员按照纳入和排除标准筛选文献、评价质量、提取资料和合并数据,采用RevMan 5.3版软件对文献进行Meta分析。 结果 共纳入11篇随机对照试验文献,共计576例患者。Meta分析结果表明,在有效性上,神经肌肉电刺激联合吞咽训练的疗效优于单纯的吞咽训练,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01),但并不能缩短咽传递时间(P>0.05);在安全性上,神经肌肉电刺激联合吞咽训练可降低发生误吸的风险,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01);且神经肌肉电刺激联合吞咽训练可改善生活质量（P<0.01）。 结论 神经肌肉电刺激联合吞咽训练可改善脑卒中后吞咽障碍患者的吞咽功能和生活质量,并降低发生误吸的风险,且目前尚无证据表明神经肌肉电刺激联合吞咽训练可缩短咽传递时间。     

间苯三酚与米索前列醇在宫腔镜术前促宫颈成熟效果比较的Meta分析

目的评价间苯三酚与米索前列醇在宫腔镜术前促宫颈成熟的临床效果和安全性。方法计算机检索Pub Med、MEDLINE、Springer、CNKI、VIP、CBM、Wan Fang Data等数据库,文献检索起止时间均从建库至2015年6月,同时检索纳入文献的参考文献,纳入探讨间苯三酚在宫腔镜术前促宫颈成熟的临床效果与安全性的随机对照试验,并逐个进行质量评价和资料提取。统计学分析采用Rev Man 5.3软件。结果该系统评价共收集到18个已完成的关于间苯三酚用于术前促宫颈成熟的临床效果和安全性分析的随机对照试验,共包括2 341例患者。Meta分析结果显示:应用间苯三酚比米索前列醇能更好地软化宫颈[OR∧=2.95,95%CI(1.96,4.45),P=0.000];提高手术视野的清晰度[OR∧=9.50,95%CI(6.46,13.98),P=0.000];能更好地缩短手术时间[^OR=-4.12,95%CI(-5.75,-2.49),P=0.000];能更好地减少术中漏水量[OR∧=0.22,95%CI(0.10,0.49),P=0.000];并且术后不良发应明显低于米索前列醇[OR∧=0.01,95%CI(0.00,0.04),P=0.000],差异有统计学意义。结论本次Meta分析结果显示间苯三酚在用于宫腔镜术前预处理方面是安全有效的,故建议临床推广使用。     

Cardiac contractility modulation for heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) emerges as a promising device treatment for heart failure (HF). This meta-analysis aimed to systematically review the latest available randomized evidence on the effectiveness and safety of CCM in HF. Methods: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched in November 2011 to identify eligible randomized controlled trials comparing CCM with sham treatment or usual care. Primary outcomes of interest were all-cause mortality, all-cause hospitalizations, and adverse effects. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for dichotomous data using a random-effects model. Results: Three studies enrolling 641 participants were included. Pooled analysis showed that, compared to control, CCM did not significantly improve all-cause mortality (n = 629, RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.50-2.86, P = 0.69), nor was there a favorable effect in all-cause hospitalizations. No increase in adverse effects with CCM was observed. Conclusions: Meta-analysis of data from small randomized trials suggests that CCM, although with no clear benefits in improving clinical outcomes, is not associated with worsening prognosis. Large, well-designed trials are needed to confirm its role in HF patients for whom cardiac resynchronization therapy is contraindicated or unsuccessful. (PACE 2012; 35:1111-1118).     

Comparison of efficacy and safety of different tourniquet applications in total knee arthroplasty: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ObjectiveTotal knee replacement (TKA) is an effective way to treat teratogenic and disabling knee diseases such as advanced osteoarthritis. Tourniquets are often used in TKA to reduce bleeding and to get a better visualization of the surgical field, while it is related to safety concerns. We did this network meta-analysis to comprehensively compare the efficacy and safety of various tourniquet application strategies.MethodPubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and WanFang Database were systematically searched from January 1990 to May 2020. A network meta-analysis with a frequentist framework was done to assess the relative efficacy and safety by comparing seven clinical important endpoints.Results38 eligible studies that assessed 3007 participants who underwent TKA were included in this network meta-analysis. Tourniquet inflation before osteotomy then deflation after wound closure effectively reduce perioperative bleeding (WMD compared with control group −234.66, 95% CI [–409.19 to −60.13]), while shortening the operation time (WMD −8.98, 95%CI [–14.07 to −3.88]) and reducing postoperative complications, including DVT (OR −0.58, 95%CI [–1.19 to 0.03]) and minor wound complications (OR −1.38, 95%CI [–3.00 to 0.25]). No difference was found in the late postoperative knee pain and function outcomes.ConclusionsUsing tourniquets during the entire operation can effectively reduce blood loss, but it also can cause many safety problems, including DVTs, wound oozing, delayed healing, and serious wound complications. Tourniquet inflation before osteotomy then deflation after wound closure effectively can reduce perioperative bleeding while shortening the operation time and reducing postoperative complications, so it could be the ideal tourniquet application strategy in TKA.

Key messages

• This is the first study that comprehensively compared different tourniquet application strategies to evaluate their impact on postoperative recovery following TKA, and five clinically important endpoints were assessed in this study: perioperative blood loss, operation time, postoperative pain and function, and complications.
• We conclude that tourniquet inflation before osteotomy then deflation after wound closure could be the ideal tourniquet application strategy in TKA.